Stranded Fans: Away End publishes new research into EFL away travel

Football is about passion, loyalty, and community—but for thousands of away fans across the English Football League (EFL), it’s also about something else: being stranded at full time.

New research from Away End, in collaboration with Cool Down Sport for Climate Action Network and Pledgeball, highlights a growing problem that is costing fans millions and increasing the sport’s environmental impact.

Our analysis of all 1,656 fixtures in the 2024/25 EFL season shows that fixture scheduling and inadequate public transport options mean that travelling fans are often left with no way home after the final whistle—a problem disproportionately affecting clubs in the North East, South West, and Yorkshire-Humber regions.

📢 Key Findings

• ⚽ Midweek away fans are 30x more likely to be left stranded compared to weekend fixtures.
• 🚆 Over 40% of stranded journeys could be solved with a 90-minute extension to key rail connections.
• 💰 The potential cost to football fans of resulting overnight plans add up to an estimated £50 million annually.
• 🌍 Extending public transport options could avoid stranding and cut transport emissions by up to 23,000 tonnes CO2e—equivalent to removing 5,300 cars from UK roads for an entire year.

Why Are Fans Being Stranded?

The research identifies three major culprits:

1️⃣ Fan-Unfriendly Fixture Scheduling

• Friday and Monday night TV games leave fans unable to return home by train.
• Clubs in marginal regions (e.g. North East & South West) are hit hardest.

2️⃣ Public Transport Failures

• Train timetables don’t accommodate evening fixtures.
• Just a 45-minute extension on key rail routes could allow thousands of fans to get home.

3️⃣ TV Broadcasters & League Priorities

• The move towards Friday and Monday night games for TV audiences is a major contributor.
• Fans travelling between Northern clubs are particularly affected.

The Bigger Picture: A Sustainability Issue

Football is already under scrutiny for its environmental impact, with emissions from fan travel ranking alongside sponsorship deals, merchandise production, and stadium construction as major sources of carbon emissions in the sport.

Our research shows that simple changes—such as better fixture scheduling and improved rail coordination—could provide greener and more affordable travel for fans.

What Needs to Change?

Our recommendations are clear:

🚨 For Broadcasters & Leagues:
✔️ Avoid scheduling Friday/Monday night games unless fans are travelling less than 100km.
✔️ Prioritise lunchtime weekend kickoffs for clubs in harder-to-reach regions.

🚆 For Rail Operators & Government:
✔️ Extend last trains by just 45-90 minutes on key routes.
✔️ Prioritise investment in travel links between the North West, Yorkshire, and Humber regions.

🏟️ For Football Clubs:
✔️ Provide discounted rail fares for away fans, as seen at Brentford FC and West Ham.
✔️ Encourage partnerships with Pledgeball’s Sustainable Travel Charter.

A Message from Away End

🚨 James Medcalf, Founder of Away End:
"Too often, fans—especially in the lower leagues—are being forced into costly, unsustainable travel choices just to follow their clubs. The EFL, broadcasters, and transport operators must work together to fix this. If we want to protect football outside the top flight, we need to start by making matchdays more accessible."

Get Involved

Football fans deserve better. If you've ever been left stranded at full time, share your story with us...

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